Wallabies coach Eddie Jones ripped into a South African journalist in the aftermath of the Springboks’ 43-12 defeat in Pretoria, accusing him of being a ‘smart-arse’. South Africa, absent several members of their starting lineup after they were sent to New Zealand ahead of the upcoming Test against the All Blacks, comprehensively outplayed the Wallabies in Jones’ first game back as coach of Australia.
Jones had said he was disappointed not to be facing a full-strength South Africa ahead of the match, words he may have come to regret after what was described as a ‘B-team’ put the Wallabies to the sword on Saturday night. One reporter in the post-match press conference made reference to Jones’ ‘disappointment’ over the Springboks’ lineup, before asking if it was a ‘relief’ that South Africa hadn’t been at full strength.
“South Africans are good at winning. You don’t have to be a smart-arse mate,” Jones replied.
“We were well and truly beaten today by a Springboks side that old mate is calling the B-team, right? I never knew there was a Springboks side that was called the B-team.”
Eddie Jones: “You don’t have to be a smart arse mate.”
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) July 8, 2023
Today is the day that irony died.
pic.twitter.com/FbNBZkhjrZ
However, that wasn’t the end of things. Jones reportedly rounded on the journalist after the press conference concluded, once again ripping into him over the nature of his question.
“You don’t have to be a smart-arse mate,” Jones repeated. “You should have more respect mate.”
“I never said that mate. I said we always want to play the best. Show some respect.”